Handle

Abstract

A handle structure providing the user with a comfortable, natural, hook-type grip, maintaining the use's wrist in a neutral or flexed position during the performance of gripping, pulling, or lifting movements of a repetitive exercise routine or an extended work routine, to facilitate grip strength and endurance. The handle comprises a grip portion from which a fixed or adjustable support surface extends tangentially, the user's palm is engaged by the support surface preventing the hand and wrist from extending due to fatigue or slippage.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A handle assembly operatively attachable to a movable or fixed device and upon which a user's hand can perform gripping, pulling, and lifting movements, said handle assembly comprising a grip portion and a support portion extending from said grip portion, said grip being shaped to have the user's fingers wrapped thereabout, said support portion being positioned to engage and support substantially the full width of the user's palm and to maintain the user's wrist in one of a neutral and a flexed position to provide a powerful hook-type grip. 
     
     
       2. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion of said handle assembly maintains the user's wrist in from about 0° to about 45° of flexion. 
     
     
       3. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion of said handle assembly maintains the user's wrist in from about 20° to about 30° of flexion. 
     
     
       4. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said grip portion of said handle assembly is a cylindrical member and said support portion of said handle assembly is a planar plate-like member extending from said grip portion. 
     
     
       5. The handle assembly claimed in claim 4 wherein said support portion extends tangentially from said grip portion. 
     
     
       6. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said grip portion and said support portion comprise an integral, one-piece structure. 
     
     
       7. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein handle assembly is suitable for engagement by the left hand and the right hand of the user. 
     
     
       8. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle assembly includes a right hand version and a left hand version, said right and left hand versions being mirror images of each other, each version being configured to have the user's thumb in opposition to the user's fingers. 
     
     
       9. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said support portion is rotatably adjustable about said grip portion. 
     
     
       10. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle assembly comprises a pre-existing cylindrical grip portion and a separate support portion adjustably affixable to said grip portion. 
     
     
       11. The handle assembly claimed in claim 1 including an attachment means for operatively attaching said handle assembly to said device, said attachment means maintaining said handle assembly support portion properly positioned to cause the users wrist to be in one of a neutral position or a flexed position when the handle assembly is gripped by the user's hand and is subjected to a pulling or lifting force by the user. 
     
     
       12. The handle claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle comprises the handle of an exercise machine. 
     
     
       13. The handle claimed in claim 1 wherein said device comprises an object to be lifted or carried. 
     
     
       14. The handle assembly claimed in claim 11 wherein said attachment means supports two handle assemblies oriented for the user's right and left hands. 
     
     
       15. A handle assembly operatively attachable to a movable or fixed device and upon which a user's hand can perform gripping, pulling, and lifting movements, said handle assembly comprising a grip portion and a support portion extending from said grip portion, said grip being shaped to have the user's fingers wrapped thereabout, said support portion being positioned to engage and support substantially the full width of the user's palm and to maintain the user's wrist in either one of a neutral and a flexed position to provide a powerful hook-type grip, said handle assembly comprising a pre-existing cylindrical grip portion and a separate support portion adjustably affixable to said grip portion, collars affixed to said support portion, said collars being adjustably mounted on said grip portion. 
     
     
       16. The handle assembly claimed in claim 15 wherein each of said collars is made up of two parts joinable together by fastening means. 
     
     
       17. A handle assembly operatively attachable to a movable or fixed device and upon which a user's hand can perform gripping, pulling, and lifting movements, said handle assembly comprising a grip portion and a support portion extending from said grip portion, said grip being shaped to have the user's fingers wrapped thereabout, said support portion being positioned to engage and support substantially the full width of the user's palm and to maintain the user's wrist in either one of a neutral and a flexed position to provide a powerful hook-type grip, said handle assembly comprising a pre-existing cylindrical grip portion and a separate support portion adjustably affixed to the grip portion, a cylindrical sleeve affixed to said support portion, said sleeve being mountable on said pre-existing grip with a sliding fit and adjustably affixed thereon by fastening means.